Atos 16
F.B. Meyer · Citado em PreceptAustin
Atos 16
Meyer - A Lesson of Guidance (ACTS 16) “Oh let Thy sacred will All Thy delight in me fulfil! Let me not think an action mine own way, But as Thy love shall sway, Resigning up the rudder to Thy skill.” HERBERT. AFTER a brief respite, Paul proposed to Barnabas that they should return to visit the brethren in every city wherein they had proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fared. This was the beginning of his second missionary journey, which was to have far-reaching results. Barnabas suggested that they should take Mark with them as before, a proposition which his companion positively refused to entertain. Mark had deserted them on the threshold of their previous expedition, and there was grave fear that he might do so again. Barnabas was as strong on the other side. Perhaps he felt that he had some rights in the matter, as the senior in age, because of the tie of blood between himself and his sister’s son. At last the contention reached so acute a stage that the Church became aware of it, and took Paul’s side, for the narrative of the Acts tells us that when Paul chose Silas, and went forth, “he was commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.” Whenever we are about to undertake some great enterprise for God, in proportion to its importance we may expect to encounter the strong man armed, “straddling across the way.” How often he attempts to overthrow us through the temper or disposition of our associates! The crew mutinies as Columbus nears the long-looked-for coast! Nothing tests us more than this. It is difficult to be resolute and gentle, strong and sweet. Beware of temptation from this side, fellow-workers. If you are compelled to differ from your companions, let it be in love; let them feel that you have no interests to serve but those of truth. If Lot quarrels with you, it is best to give him his own terms and send him away; God will give you ever so much more than he can take. Only do nothing to drive the Holy Dove of God from your bosom. Perfect love is the only atmosphere in which the Divine Spirit can manifest his gracious help. Through regions rich in flowers and natural beauty Paul and Silas traversed Syria and Cilicia, confirming the infant churches, which probably owed their existence to Paul’s earliest efforts. So through the Cilician Gates to Tarsus, his native city. But there was no welcome for him there. Probably the old home was either broken up or forever shut against him; and the two companions in travel threaded the defile in the mountains behind Tarsus, which led them up to the central plain with its volcanic deposits and biting winds. After some days’ toilsome journey they came to Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium, so tragically associated with the former journey. What a welcome Paul would receive! How many inquiries would be made after Barnabas! How much to tell and hear! There was, however, a special burden on the Apostle’s heart. On the occasion of his previous visit his attention had been arrested by a mere lad, who had been strongly attracted to him, watching with a lad’s enthusiastic devotion his teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, and patience, and perhaps mingling with the little group that stood around him when he sank beneath the stones of those who a few days before had offered him worship. He asked for Timothy, and was glad to learn that he had not been faithless to the teachings and training of the godly women who had watched over his opening character, and instructed him in the Holy Scriptures. It would seem that the whole family was more or less closely associated with the infant church life; so much so that, though the mother was a Jewess, she had not urged her son’s compliance with the initial Jewish rite. It had therefore remained in abeyance, according to the broad and liberal views which Paul inculcated. All the reports about Timothy were favorable. He was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. The more Paul knew of him the more he was attracted to him, and finally proposed that he should accompany him on his travels as his own son in the faith. He administered the rite of circumcision, not because he deemed it obligatory, but as a matter of convenience, that there might be no obstacle to the admission of his young assistant to Jewish synagogues. A simple ordination service was then held, in which Timothy was solemnly set apart for his great work. The elders gathered round and laid their hands on his bowed head, and prayed. In answer to their believing intercession, he received the gift of sacred speech; and Paul, in after years, reminds him to stir up the gift that was in him through the laying on of his own hands and of those of the presbytery. Thus the Spirit of Jesus led his servant to call new laborers into the harvest field and endow them with special qualifications for their work. It appears, indeed, that Paul had remarkable power in these directions; for, in his Epistle to the Galatians, he expressly refers to his having ministered to them the Holy Spirit by faith; and when he laid his hands on the twelve disciples at Ephesus, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. In the old time it seems to have been possible for men of God to receive for others, and transmit to them, by faith, spiritual gifts, adapting them better for their life work. But this was altogether distinct from any mechanical communication of sacramental grace, and was the peculiar prerogative of those who were themselves richly endued with the Spirit of Jesus. Leaving Lystra, Paul and his companions visited the churches in the highland region of Phrygia and Galatia, everywhere distributing the letter of James. They next essayed to go into the populous and influential cities of Asia Minor, such as Colossӕ, Laodicӕa, and Ephesus. What could they do better than bear the light of the Gospel to those teeming multitudes who sat in darkness and the shadow of death? Yet it was not to be: “They were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the Word in Asia.” In after years Paul would do some of the greatest work of his life in that very region; but just now the door was closed against him by the Holy Spirit. The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan. Apollos must come there for pioneer work. Paul and Barnabas are needed yet more urgently elsewhere, and must receive further training before undertaking this responsible and arduous task. The travellers therefore took a northern route, with the intention of entering the important province of Bithynia, lying along the shores of the Black Sea; but when they came to a point in the great Roman road, opposite Mysia, and were attempting to go out of Asia Minor into Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not. Checked when they attempted to go to the West, they were now stopped as they sought to go to the Northeast; and there was nothing for it but to keep straight on, until they came out at the terminus of the road, on the seacoast, at the famous harbor of Troas, the ancient Troy. There they met with Luke, whose presence is thenceforth denoted by the significant personal pronoun we; and thence the man of Macedonia beckoned the little missionary band across the straits to set up the banner of Christ on the hitherto untouched continent of Europe. What an extremely attractive title that is for the Holy Spirit! He is preëminently the Spirit of Jesus. When Jesus was glorified, He was given in Pentecostal fulness, and the chief aim of his mission and ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus and gather together the members of his Body, fitting them for union with their Head. He is also the Comforter and Guide of the saints until the Church is presented faultless to her Lord; as Eliezer conducted Rebekah to his master’s son. It is interesting to study the method of his guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross. It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right. When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them; and when they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them. He shut all the doors along their route, and bolted them; so that they had no alternative but to go straight forward. In the absence of any prohibition, they were left to gather that they were treading the prepared path for which they had been created in Christ Jesus. Whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one. Say, “Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear thy voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left. Put thine arrest on me. Do not suffer me.” In the meanwhile, continue along the path which you have been already treading. It lies in front of you; pursue it. Abide in the calling in which you were called. Keep on as you are, unless you are clearly told to do something else. Expect to have as clear a door out as you had in; and if there is no indication to the contrary, consider the absence of indication to be the indication of God’s will that you are on his track. The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you, O pilgrim, what He was to Paul. Only be careful to obey his least prohibitions; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, believe that you are on the way everlasting, and go forward with enlarged heart. “Teach me to do thy will, for Thou art my God: thy Spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness.” Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting. Acts 16:2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium KJV Acts 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. GNT Acts 16:2 ὃς ἐμαρτυρεῖτο ὑπὸ τῶν ἐν Λύστροις καὶ Ἰκονίῳ ἀδελφῶν. NLT Acts 16:2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, ESV Acts 16:2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. CSB Acts 16:2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him. NIV Acts 16:2 The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. YLT Acts 16:2 who was well testified to by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium; was : Ac 6:3 1Ti 3:7 5:10,25 2Ti 3:15 Heb 11:2 Iconium : Acts 14:21 2Ti 3:11 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TIMOTHY'S GOOD REPUTATION Reputation is what others think is true about you, while character is what God's knows is true about you! In Timothy's case his character and reputation were essentially the same. Our English word for that is integrity which means an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting. Integrity speaks of of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. Think of the related word integer from Latin integer and means "intact, whole, complete," figuratively, "untainted, upright," literally "untouched," What you saw on Timothy on the outside was a perfect reflection of what was on the inside. Synonyms of integrity - honesty, uprightness, probity, rectitude, honor, honorableness, upstandingness, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, nobility, high-mindedness, right-mindedness, noble-mindedness, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness Well spoken of (matureo) refers to a human declaration of ascertainable facts based on firsthand knowledge or experience and in the present context refers to a good report or having a good reputation. Paul received a "good report" on Timothy. In Hebrews 11:2+ we see how men obtain a "good reputation" with God - it was "by faith" (cf Heb 11:1+). Matureo is in the imperfect tense which depicts others as giving a good testimony of Timothy, over and over, one after another related to Paul regarding his reputation. Martureo is used to describe Jesus Luke recording that… And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22+) Martureo is also used of the criteria that were to be true of men who would serve the church… But select from among you, brethren, seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. (Acts 6:3+)
Atos 16
Meyer - Each believer has an appointed place in the great army of God. It is indicated by the voice of God, and by the circumstances of our life; and it should be jealously retained. Repeatedly the Apostle bade his converts abide in the calling wherein they were called. Yours may be towards the bleak north of difficulty, or the warm south of privilege — in the home, the country parish, or the difficult foreign post. But, on the whole, you should stay where you are; unless the Captain of our salvation moves you by some unmistakable indication of his will. The apostle Paul ever lived in such dependence on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and for the unfolding of the Divine purpose, that from some apparently trivial circumstance he would “gather” the movements of the pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night. And interval there was none between his apprehension of the Divine purpose and his endeavor to strike his tent and follow wherever it might lead (Acts 16:6–7). (Meyer, F. B. Our Daily Homily) Come over to Macedonia and help us. - Acts 16:9 TODAY IN THE WORD On February 25, 1870, Hiram Revels became the first African American to serve as a U.S. Senator. Revels spent most of his life as an itinerant preacher, and took leadership roles in politics and education. After the Civil War, Mississippi elected him to serve out the unexpired term of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. On the day of his swearing in, said one newspaper, “there was not an inch of standing or sitting room in the galleries, so densely were they packed.” On that day, Hiram Revels crossed racial boundaries and made history. In today's reading, the apostle Paul did the same, taking the gospel to Europe for the first time in recorded history. We've returned to the time of his second missionary journey, but things had not been going well. The Spirit had been blocking their path in Asia. Paul, Timothy, and Silas knew that God must have something special planned, and they expressed an attitude of expectant readiness. Then God spoke, giving Paul a vision of a man saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (v. 9). Luke joined them, and the group made their historic entry into Europe. Traveling on the nearly 500-mile-long Via Egnatia between the two continents, they arrived in Philippi, one of four districts of Macedonia. There must have been fewer than ten Jewish males in the city, for there was no synagogue there. Instead, the missionaries met a group of women at a place of prayer outside the city. Lydia, a businesswoman, and her household believed and were baptized. She had been a worshiper of the true God already, and when the gospel arrived, He opened her heart to understand and respond immediately. She at once offered Paul and his friends hospitality. Lydia's gracious response remains an instructive model for how we should practice hospitality, particularly toward those in ministry. This is not an onerous task, but something that should bring them encouragement and us great joy (see 1 Peter 4:9). With regard to our year's theme of purpose, we can meditate on Paul's passion for evangelism, his sensitivity to the Spirit's leading, and the fact that God is always at work around and ahead of us. TODAY ALONG THE WAY You may not have been called to the same ministry as the apostle Paul, but it's clear from our reading that he had many partners in ministry with different gifts, all working together to glorify God. Perhaps, like Lydia, you can extend hospitality to missionaries who visit or to your pastor and his family through sharing a meal together. This doesn't have to be grand, stressful entertaining, but a way of meeting needs and supporting God's work. Norman Geisler - Acts 16:6—Why did the Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia when Jesus said to go into all the world? PROBLEM: Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matt. 28:19) and to be witnesses to “the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). But in Acts 16 Paul and Timothy “were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia” (v. 6). SOLUTION: Paul was only forbidden immediately. God had a more strategic route for the Gospel through Europe first (Acts 16:9). Eventually, however, the Gospel got to Asia and to every place through Paul’s converts in Europe (cf. 1 Thes. 1:7) and by Paul himself (Acts 19:10, 22, 26; 20:4, 16, 18; 1 Cor. 16:19). So, the prohibition was only temporary, not permanent. (When Critics Ask) Acts 16:7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; KJV Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. NET Acts 16:7 When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this, GNT Acts 16:7 ἐλθόντες δὲ κατὰ τὴν Μυσίαν ἐπείραζον εἰς τὴν Βιθυνίαν πορευθῆναι, καὶ οὐκ εἴασεν αὐτοὺς τὸ πνεῦμα Ἰησοῦ· NLT Acts 16:7 Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. ESV Acts 16:7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. CSB Acts 16:7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. NIV Acts 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. NAB Acts 16:7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them, NKJ Acts 16:7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. NJB Acts 16:7 When they reached the frontier of Mysia they tried to go into Bithynia, but as the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them, GWN Acts 16:7 They went to the province of Mysia and tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't allow this. NRS Acts 16:7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; YLT Acts 16:7 having gone toward Mysia, they were trying to go on toward Bithynia, and the Spirit did not suffer them, Bithynia: 1Pe 1:1 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A SECOND HINDRANCE BY THE SPIRIT OF JESUS And after they came to Mysia - In northwest Asia Minor. They trekked through Galatia, Phrygia, Asia into the region of Mysia (before you read on, trace their trek). They were trying to go into Bithynia - Northeast of Mysia. Trying is the verb peirazo and is translated in the KJV as "they assayed." Peirazo is in the imperfect tense which pictures Paul and Silas repeatedly trying to enter Bithynia. Trying (3985)(peirazo from the noun peira = test from peíro = perforate, pierce through to test durability of things) Peirazo is a morally neutral word simply = to test but whether the testing is for a good (Heb 11:17) or evil (Mt 4:1) purpose. THOUGHT - "Paul was guided by hindrance. The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.iii. David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. William Carey wanted to go to Polynesia, but God sent him to India. Adoniram Judson went to India, but God guided him to Burma. God guides us along the way, to just the right place." (Guzik) William Larkin asks "How does God guide his church to the right place for mission? There will be "closed" as well as "open doors." There will be guidance addressed to individuals as well as to the entire team. There will be guidance via circumstances, sometimes extraordinary, as well as through the use of reason in evaluating circumstances in the light of God's Word. And specific guidance will come only to those who are already on the road, living out their general obedience to the Great Commission. Being able to say, "God sent me; I come with the wind at my back," is a strong witness to one's hearers that one's message is from God and true. (The IVP New Testament Commentary Series – Acts) J. I. Packer wrote, “Belief that divine guidance is real rests upon two foundation-facts: first, the reality of God’s plan for us; second, the ability of God to communicate with us. On both these facts the Bible has much to say.” The Spirit of Jesus did not permit them - Paul, presumably filled with the Spirit is responsive to the Spirit's guidance (cf Ro 8:14, Gal 5:18) and willingly lays down his will and plans. Paul is being guided by hindrance, closed doors (but the exact form of this "closure" is not stated by Luke) not opened doors. The Holy Spirit guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors. We all like the latter, but often chaff at the former! Did you notice the synonymous identification of the Holy Spirit in Acts 16:6 and with Spirit of Jesus in this verse? These parallel names are a clear indication that the Holy Spirit is Deity, and supports that He is the third Person of the Trinity. Permit (1439)(eao) means to allow someone to do something, to let or to permit , Here in Acts 16:7 eao is modified with the strongest Greek negative which signifes He absolutely did not permit them! In other contexts eao means leaving someone or something alone (Acts 5:38) All NT uses of eao - Matt. 24:43; Lk. 4:41; Lk. 22:51; Acts 14:16; Acts 16:7; Acts 19:30; Acts 23:32; Acts 27:32; Acts 27:40; Acts 28:4; 1 Co. 10:13= "will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able") Acts 16:6-7 both clearly demonstrate the superintendence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in missionary strategy. Charles Ryrie writes that - Asia needed the Gospel, but this was not God's time. Need did not constitute their call. They had just come from the east; they had been forbidden to go south or north, but they did not presume that the Lord was leading them to the west --they waited His specific directions. Logic alone is not the basis for a call. Discerning God's Will - move ahead and allow Him to close doors until the right opportunity presents itself. This makes me think of the great Rich Mullin's classic spiritual song "Sometimes by Step." The Lord's calling may become evident in different ways. One key principle is indicated here in the calling of Paul to Macedonia in Greece. Paul was already active, trying to preach in the province of Asia, then in Bithynia. He was not waiting idly at home, hoping to receive a call. The Holy Spirit in some very clear way closed the first two doors, but then opened another by this special vision. It is sobering to think that if Paul had not been redirected to Philippi and Greece, he might never have gone into Europe and Christianity might have remained primarily an Asian religion. But God had other purposes. Related Resources Discerning the Will Of God How can I be sure I am praying according to the will of God? What are the biblical principles for solid decision-making? How can I know if the desires of my heart are from God? What does the Bible say about common sense? Six Ways to Know God's Will - Robert Morgan How to Know the Will of God - John MacArthur Responding to the Will of God - John MacArthur Prayer and the Will of God - John MacArthur What Is the Will of God and How Do We Know It? - John Piper How to Know the Will of God: Finding Direction with the Renewed Mind - John Piper How Do I Find God's Will for My Life? - John Piper
Atos 16
Meyer - THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Acts 16:7-10. THE SPIRIT of Jesus often shuts doors in the long corridors of life. We pass along, trying one after another, but find that they are all locked, in order that we may enter the one that He has opened for us (Rev 3:7-8). Sometimes in following the Spirit's guidance we seem to come to a blank wall. The little missionary band found themselves facing the sea. They had not contemplated crossing to Europe, but there seemed no other course open. They walked to and fro on the sea-wall or landing-stage, looking over the restless waves, and noticing the strange costumes of sailors and travellers who had gathered in the thriving sea-port, which bore the name famous to all the world for the Siege of Troy. It was with such thoughts in his heart that St. Paul slept that night in his humble lodging, and in his dreams, a man from Macedonia, like one he had seen on the quay, stood and beckoned to him (Acts 16:10, R.V.). Where it is possible for the judgment to arrive at a right conclusion, on the suggestions that may be supplied by the Divine Spirit, we are left to think out the problems of our career. Within your reach are the materials needed for formulating a correct judgment; use them, balance the pros and cons, and looking up to God to prevent you from making a mistake, act. When once you have come to a decision, in faith and prayer, go forward, not doubting or looking back. A small door may lead to a vast opportunity. St. Paul might have been discouraged by his reception in Europe. He looked for the man whom he had seen in the vision, but the only trace they could find of the worship of God was the gathering together of a few women. How startled they must have been by the sudden appearance of these missionaries, but a mighty work for God began in the life of at least one of them "whose heart the Lord opened." Let us not despise the smallest opening, for we can never tell into what a wide place it may conduct us. PRAYER - O God, since we know not what a day may bring forth, but only that the hour for serving Thee is always present, may we wake to the instant claims of Thy holy Will; not waiting for to-morrow, but yielding today. Consecrate with Thy presence the way our feet may go; and the humblest work will shine, and the roughest places be made plain. AMEN. (Our Daily Walk) F. B. Meyer in his book Paul A Servant of Jesus Christ writes… It is interesting to study the method of his guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross. It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right. When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them; and when they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them. He shut all the doors along their route, and bolted them; so that they had no alternative but to go straight forward. In the absence of any prohibition, they were left to gather that they were treading the prepared path for which they had been created in Christ Jesus. Whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one. Say, "Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear thy voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left. Put thine arrest on me. Do not suffer me." In the meanwhile, continue along the path which you have been already treading. It lies in front of you; pursue it. Abide in the calling in which you were called. Keep on as you are, unless you are clearly told to do something else. Expect to have as clear a door out as you had in; and if there is no indication to the contrary, consider the absence of indication to be the indication of God's will that you are on his track. The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you, O pilgrim, what He was to Paul. Only be careful to obey his least prohibitions, and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, believe that you are on the way everlasting, and go forward with enlarged heart. "Teach me to do thy will, for Thou art my God: thy Spirit is good, lead me into the land of uprightness." Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting. Acts 16:6-7 The Macedonian Vision” - Allen Ross It is clear from Scripture that God was leading Paul and his company to the west and not back to the east. According to Acts 16:6 and 7, the company was traveling throughout Phrygia and Galatia because the Spirit kept them from preaching the word in the province of Asia. They came to the border of Mysia, the Spirit did not allow them to enter Bithynia. So they came back down the coast of what is now western Turkey and stayed in Troas (just to the southwest of Istanbul). Here during the night Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia begging him to come over and help them. Of course, the rest of the Book of Acts will narrate Paul’s journeys into Macedonia, Athens, Corinth and Rome. What is clear from the text is that God wanted the Gospel to go to the West, and not turn back to the East. We can only reason that since the cultural influence of Greece and Rome was gradually spreading throughout the known world, the Gospel would travel more widely and more quickly than if it stayed in the Orient. And this is a cause for thanksgiving for people whose origins lay in that western region. One can only imagine how differently the history of the Christian movement would have been if Paul had turned back to the East and left Macedonia, Greece, Rome, and the Isles as they were. But he was the apostle to the Gentiles. There is an interesting little aside from history that is worth thinking about. I looked at this briefly in an earlier devotion for the sake of thinking about how important decisions are. But there is another side to this comparison. Recall that Troas was an extremely important city in the days of Paul. It was the modern seaport city built just a little north of the probable sight of ancient Troy. Caesar had wanted to build the capital of the Roman Empire there, but instead remained in Rome. Why? Because according to tradition, when Troy fell to the Achaeans (see Homer’s Illiad), one man escaped, a man named Aeneas, and he was essentially responsible for the founding of Rome. The Romans always considered that they stood in the tradition and heritage of Troy, that Troy was their mother, so to speak (and interestingly, the Church of Rome places great stock in the cultural and literary traditions from Troy). So from Troy one man went out and eventually came to Rome and began what turned out to be a vast empire. And now from the later city Troas, one man will be called by God to come to the West and help in the ministry. This one eventually will also end up in Rome and be influential in building the kingdom of God which will rival the empire and most certainly outlast it. This may be considered an interesting coincidence. But the more you work with Scripture the more of these historical coincidences you discover, and you soon begin to suspect that God had a reason for doing things the way He did. God Himself was and is building a kingdom, greater than any mortals could build. And it will last forever. And near the beginning of the development of this kingdom He chose to direct Paul to the city of Troas, and from there call him to go to the center of Greek and Roman culture to proclaim the truth. And God had perfectly prepared His servant for this. Paul was born a Jew, but was born into a family that had received Roman citizenship. He grew up in one of the finest centers of learning, Tarsus, where philosophers and teachers were present in abundance; but he also studied under Gamaliel, one of the great teachers of the law. He knew the Scriptures as well as anyone on earth; but he knew western thinking and philosophy better than any of the apostles. Clearly, God was at work in preparing the right man, for the right task; and so it is no surprise that God chose to lead him to the West in a significant way. So one further implication from this event and the people involved is how the Lord calls people to places and tasks that they are most suited for. When Christians are trying to decide who should go where or who should do what, it is well to consider how God has worked in their lives to put them together (so to speak, as Psalm 139 describes). I have seen this happen again and again--people with background experiences in the secular world, or courses of study they took that to them seem not useful in their Christian service, all of a sudden discovering how those things open doors of service, or become useful in a way that they never imagined. It all reminds us how God forms and shapes His instruments within their cultures and from their backgrounds, for His work. Christians then need to be available for what God opens to them, and to be particularly aware that all their gifts and talents are to be surrendered to Him to use as He will. Acts 16:6-7 Troy and Troas - “The Tale of Two Cities and Their Impact on Civilization” - Allen Ross We have begun a tour of the lands of the Bible that began in Istanbul and will move across Turkey through the cities of the New Testament into Syria, to Aleppo and Damascus, and then south into Jordan. The second part of the trip will be a tour of the most significant places in Israel. The trip is thirty days in all; and so for the next thirty days the devotional thoughts will come from various locations we will be visiting. After spending our first couple of days in Istanbul, we traveled down the coast to visit ancient Troy and Troas. What occurred in these places has had a significant impact on western civilization in ways that are incalculable. Troy is known to most students of history and classical literature from Homer’s writings about the Trojan wars. Homer called Troy Ilium; and the Iliad is one of those works that is far too rich and full to be summarized in a paragraph or two. It goes far beyond the description of the wars and the participants to raise the deeper issues of religion, honor, virtue, justice, community, and the like. Its many themes and motifs address so much of what has become central to western civilization that it has for some time been required study in the better universities and colleges. And its influence on the art of the western world is profound. If the wars of this region left their mark on western civilization through the Homeric literature, another event that took place nearby changed the course of world religion forever. In Troas, a little to the southwest of Troy (Ilium), Paul received the famous Macedonian Vision. Recall from Acts 16:6-7 that Paul and his company planned to turn back to the East with the Gospel but were hindered by the Holy Spirit. They went instead down to Mysia, to Troas. They had to leave some of the fascinating cities of Bythinia to the witness of others (see 1 Peter 1:1), two of which became prominent in later church history--Nicaea and Chalcedon. Mysia formed the northwestern part of the Roman province of Asia. It was the closest to Europe, only the Propontis, the Hellespont, and the Aegean Sea separated it from that continent. At Troas Paul waited for guidance from the Lord. Here he met Luke, the physician. Some have suggested that Paul might have been stricken by malaria and had to call for a physician, but there is no evidence for this. Whatever happened, Luke now joined Paul and served in a number of ways, including writing Luke and Acts. But it was here at Troas that a significant decision was made. He received a vision of a man from Macedonia calling for him to come over and help them (Acts 16:9). If Paul had turned back to retrace his steps through Asia Minor towards Syria and the East, Christianity might have remained mostly an eastern religion. Christianity, however, was to be taken beyond Asia, into the West, into Europe. The faith was not meant to remain a sect of Judaism. It was to move into a totally new spiritual and cultural setting with results that could not have been imagined. It would move to the western area of Macedonia, and then Greece and Rome, and from there find swift expansion throughout the Roman world. This instructs us that the decisions we make in serving the Lord are never to be taken for granted. The decisions that Christians make in their service will have significant consequences for years to come, so that we must seek the Lord’s will in everything in order that what we do and where we go will be what He wants. We do not know how the Holy Spirit prevented Paul and Luke from going East, whether it was some supernatural sign, or some circumstance that prevented them, or merely a feeling of unease. But they began to pray more earnestly concerning their decision, and God led them to the West and, in the long run, to us. Why God did this is beyond our understanding. But perhaps the culture of Greece and Rome would facilitate the expansion of the church more so than the cities of the East. It certainly brought the Gentile world into the church. And then a couple of centuries later Constantine would make Byzantium--Istanbul--the center of a Christian kingdom that would last for a thousand years. Acts 16:8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. KJV Acts 16:8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. NET Acts 16:8 so they passed through Mysia and went down to Troas. GNT Acts 16:8 παρελθόντες δὲ τὴν Μυσίαν κατέβησαν εἰς Τρῳάδα. NLT Acts 16:8 So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. ESV Acts 16:8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. YLT Acts 16:8 and having passed by Mysia, they came down to Troas. Troas: Ac 16:11 20:5 2Co 2:12 2Ti 4:13 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Lystra > Troas OBEDIENCE TO THE SPIRIT OF JESUS G. Campbell Morgan said, “It is better to go to Troas with God, than anywhere else without Him.” Swindoll - Rather than write off their unfortunate situations as coincidental, they recognized the sovereign hand of Christ guiding them where He wanted.It takes a spirit sensitive to the Lord’s leading to maintain this kind of perspective. We naturally tend to wonder what we did wrong or, if we know we did nothing wrong, play the victim. We compare ourselves to others for whom doors seem to open left and right. We try harder to go where the Lord has forbidden, or we give up and go home after a few doors slam shut. Paul and Silas did none of that. They persisted, never doubting their call. Simply stated, they submitted to the sovereign direction of God. (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary – Acts) And passing by Mysia they came down to Troas - Mysia was a province in northwest Asia Minor. See map which shows that from their location in Bithynia they would have to pass through (they did not actually "bypass" but walked through) Mysia in order to reach Troas on the coast (see map 1, map 2) Luke does not tell us why Paul and Silas did not stop in Mysia to proclaim the Gospel, but in context of Acts 16:7, clearly the Spirit was leading them step by step (Rich Mullins' great classic "Sometimes by Step") Passing by (3928)(parerchomai from para = beside, near + erchomai = come, go) means to pass near, pass by (Mt 8:28, Mk 6:48, Acts 24:7 "came along") or pass away and is used in both a literal and figurative sense, with the figurative uses predominating in the NT. Clearly the literal sense is intended in this context. NET Note on passing by - Although the normal meaning for parerchomai is “pass by, go by,” it would be difficult to get to Troas from where Paul and his companions were without going through rather than around Mysia . BDAG 776 s.v. parerchomai list some nonbiblical examples of the meaning “go through, pass through,” and give that meaning for the usage here. Came down to Troas - Came down signifies that literally they came down from the elevated highlands to the sea level elevationi of Troas on the coast. Troas was a port city (and surrounding region) on the northwest coast of Asia Minor, near ancient Troy. Acts 16:9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” KJV Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. NET Acts 16:9 A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" GNT Acts 16:9 καὶ ὅραμα διὰ [τῆς] νυκτὸς τῷ Παύλῳ ὤφθη, ἀνὴρ Μακεδών τις ἦν ἑστὼς καὶ παρακαλῶν αὐτὸν καὶ λέγων, Διαβὰς εἰς Μακεδονίαν βοήθησον ἡμῖν. NLT Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" ESV Acts 16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." CSB Acts 16:9 During the night a vision appeared to Paul: A Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, "Cross over to Macedonia and help us!" NIV Acts 16:9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." vision : Acts 2:17,18 9:10-12 10:3,10-17,30 11:5-12 18:9,10 22:17-21 Ac 27:23,24 2Co 12:1-4,7 Macedonia : Ac 18:5 19:21 Ro 15:26 2Co 7:5 8:1 9:2 11:9 1Th 1:7,8 4:10 Come : Ac 8:26-31 9:38 10:32,33 11:13,14 Ro 10:14,15 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE MACEDONIAN CALL FOR HELP! A vision appeared to Paul in the night - As described below, God used visions at several strategic points in Acts - one pair of visions ("double vision" - pun intended) was instrumental in Paul's conversion, another pair of visions ("double vision") was instrumental in opening the Gospel to the Gentiles and here a third strategic vision (this one a single vision) God would use to fling open the door to European evangelism and ultimately to the entire world (including both you who are reading and myself who is writing)! God's ways are so amazing and so manifold! Won't Heaven be worth the wait as we see His amazements throughout eternity! Warren
Atos 16
Meyer writes… Acts 16:14, 27 - A certain woman named Lydia…. The Keeper of the prison. These are typical cases, put here in juxtaposition for the teaching and comfort of believers in every age. Each of them needed Christ, and each was brought into his true light; but each came in a different way. Lydia’s heart opened as a flower beneath the touch of the sun, so gradually and imperceptibly that it was impossible to say the precise moment of her new life. The jailer came to Christ suddenly, startlingly, amid the crash of an earthquake. The one was drawn by love; the other driven by fear. A distinguished missionary says, “The Lord awakened me with a kiss” — it was so that Lydia’s heart was won. Another tells us that the Lord sprang on him like a lion — it was thus with the jailer. Lydia. — Do not always be looking out for signs and manifestations, for marked experiences. We do not notice the lines of longitude and latitude as we cross the ocean of life. Without knowing it, your character may be in the process of transfiguration. By insensible gradations the work of God may be proceeding in your heart. The tide is rising daily by tiny wavelets that appear to recede as fast as they advance. Do not measure progress by experiences; only be yielded to God, and let Him do his will. The Jailer. — Do not undervalue the influence of fear. There are some natures that never will be awakened unless they are startled by being brought face to face with the consequences of sin. If men will not come by the highest motives, be thankful that they come by any. Remember it is not belief about Christ, about his death or resurrection, but trust in Him as a living Person, that saves from the power and penalty of sin. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” He is a living Person. Trust Him now. (Meyer, F. B. Our Daily Homily). Acts 16:15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us. KJV Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. NET Acts 16:15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house." And she persuaded us. GNT Acts 16:15 ὡς δὲ ἐβαπτίσθη καὶ ὁ οἶκος αὐτῆς, παρεκάλεσεν λέγουσα, Εἰ κεκρίκατέ με πιστὴν τῷ κυρίῳ εἶναι, εἰσελθόντες εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου μένετε· καὶ παρεβιάσατο ἡμᾶς. NLT Acts 16:15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." And she urged us until we agreed. ESV Acts 16:15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. CSB Acts 16:15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. NIV Acts 16:15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. NAB Acts 16:15 After she and her household had been baptized, she offered us an invitation, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my home," and she prevailed on us. NKJ Acts 16:15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay." So she persuaded us. NJB Acts 16:15 After she and her household had been baptised she kept urging us, 'If you judge me a true believer in the Lord,' she said, 'come and stay with us.' And she would take no refusal. GWN Acts 16:15 When Lydia and her family were baptized, she invited us to stay at her home. She said, "If you're convinced that I believe in the Lord, then stay at my home." She insisted. So we did. NRS Acts 16:15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us. YLT Acts 16:15 and when she was baptized, and her household, she did call upon us, saying, 'If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, having entered into my house, remain;' and she constrained us. when : Ac 16:33 8:12,38 11:14 18:8 1Co 1:13-16 If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord: Eph 1:1 Php 1:7 Philemon 1:17 1Pe 5:12 3Jn 1:5 come into my house and stay : Ge 18:4,5 Jud 19:19,20 Mt 10:41 Lu 9:4,5 10:5-7 Ro 16:23 Ga 6:10 Heb 13:2 2Jn 1:10 3Jn 1:8 And she prevailed upon us : Ge 19:3 33:11 Jdg 19:21 1Sa 28:23 2Ki 4:8 Lu 14:23, 24:29 2Co 5:14, 12:11 Heb 13:2 Acts 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LYDIA'S GOOD WORKS AUTHENTICATE HER NEW BIRTH And when she and her household (oikos) had been baptized - The clear implication that not only was Lydia saved but also all in her household, for the missionaries would have baptized only genuine believers. Remember that water baptism is in no way effects or contributes to salvation of one's soul. Instead water baptism is an outward manifestation of a person testifying to the inner transformation of their soul by the Spirit empowered Gospel - in short water baptism is an outward sign of an inner work of grace. David Jeremiah wrote, “The reference to her ‘household’ doesn’t mean that they were automatically saved because Lydia was saved. It means that the impact of her conversion was so strong that those over whom Lydia exercised influence were likewise convinced of the truth of the Gospel and believed and were baptized. It probably included her immediate family and her extended family as well, including household servants.” Had been baptized (907)(baptizo from bapto = cover wholly with a fluid; of a ship that "dipped" = sank) literally means to submerge, to dip or immerse as in water and that is the meaning in this passage. In fact of the 77 NT uses of baptizo, the majority in the Gospels and Acts are associated with literal water baptism. The Greeks used baptizo to describe the dyeing of a garment, in which the whole material was plunged in and taken out from the element used. Baptizo was used of the act of sinking ships. Figuratively, baptizo pictures the introduction or placing of a person or thing into a new environment or into union with something else so as to alter its condition or its relationship to its previous environment or condition. In this sense baptizo means to be identified with. The person who is baptized in water is in effect saying "I now am identified with Christ" so in that sense the literal baptism testifies to the figurative meaning. And her household - see similar descriptions of the household -- John 4:53; Acts 11:14, the jailer and his household (Acts 16:33), Cornelius (Acts 10:24, 44), Crispus (Acts 18:8), Aristobulus (Ro. 16:10), Narcissus (Rom. 16:11), and Stephanas (1 Cor. 1:16). Lydia's household apparently consisted of her servants. There is no indication that she was either married or a widow.
Atos 16
Meyer: “Perhaps the water was in the court of the house; and the baptism was that of immersion, which formed an essential part of the symbolism of the act.” The jailer rejoiced greatly - The very one who moments before was on the verge of committing suicide, was now rejoicing in his new found faith (and that of his family) in the living God. Rejoiced (Jumped for joy) (21)(agalliao from agan = much + hallomai = jump; gush, leap, spring up) means literally to "jump much", "leap for joy", skip and jump with happy excitement and so to be exceedingly joyful, overjoyed or exuberantly happy. The idea is this person shows their excessive, ecstatic joy by leaping and skipping. It describes jubilant exultation, a quality of joy that remains unhindered and unchanged by what happens. As discussed below in the NT, agalliao describes an exceeding joy (independent of dire circumstances) which is initiated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.